Film and videotaped excerpts, including scenes from the Yiddish film "Der Dybbuk," shown at left, will illustrate Tamar Alexander's talk on spiritual possession.

Possession by dybbuk to be explored in Slifka talk

Tamar Alexander, the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Visiting Professor of Judaic Studies, will deliver a lecture on "The Dybbuk: Spiritual Possession in Jewish Tradition" on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale, 80 Wall St. Her talk will focus on the 1994 case of Moria, a 17-year-old Israeli girl who believed she was possessed by a dybbuk, the spirit of a dead person -- in this case, a schoolmate whose blood Moria accidentally touched. Under the influence of the dybbuk, Moria behaved in bizarre ways and used profane language that she never had used before. Alexander interviewed Moria shortly after an exorcism was conducted that apparently freed the girl from the spirit's possession. In addition to excerpts from the interview with Moria, Alexander will show scenes from two films about spiritual possession: "Der Dybbuk" (1937, in Yiddish) and "Forbidden Love" (1999, in Hebrew) and a videotaped exorcism conducted in Jerusalem last year. Alexander, chair of the Folklore Studies Program and former chair of the Hebrew Literature Department at Ben Gurion University in Israel, is an expert in Jewish folklore. She holds the Frankfurter Chair in Sephardic Culture. She is author of 10 books and close to 80 articles on topics that range from Judeo-Spanish proverbs and Purim plays to the medieval Hasidic folktales of Germany. She is a leading scholar of Ladino culture, which blends Spanish and Hebrew traditions and languages. She also heads the Israeli Ministry of Education's Story Telling Committee. At Yale this semester, Alexander is leading a faculty seminar, "Ha-Dybbuk (Spiritual Possession)," in the Judaic studies program. T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S $5 million will fund hypoglycemia study Peabody to launch program on biodiversity and human health Albee applauds 'dangerous' dramas Trio of sisters harmonizing at School of Music Yale College Dean's Office announces new staff ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS Grigoriy Margulis is named the Erastus L. DeForest Professor of Mathematics Steven A. Orszag, the new Percey F. Smith Professor of Mathematics . . . Scientists from Yale, China enter new partnership Tufte will talk about design 'In the Company of Scholars' Gordon Grand Fellowship hosts visit by marketing expert MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWS Intrafallopian tube fertilization is more risky, say researchers Study: Melatonin is not useful in fighting jet lag Research reveals leptin's role in diabetic eye disease Nicotine receptors shown to play key role in Alzheimer's Globalization brings ethical responsibilities, philosopher says Exhibit illustrates the connections between Yale, the rail and sports Junior faculty members will pursue research on fellowships Yale licenses researchers' new technology for screening ion-channel drugs The custom of arming slaves to be explored in major conference Oscar-winning alumna Possession by dybbuk to be explored in Slifka talk Scholar is honored for linking biblical stories with ancient societies' social ecology Linda Schwartz honored for her 'selfless service' on behalf of veterans Concerts will feature early sacred music Remington to discuss new book on Darwin Splendor on the Grass In the News Yale Scoreboard Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page